The Howard Gotlieb Archival Research Center at Boston University is proud to open “Portrait of an Artist: the Life and Work of Edward Sorel”, a retrospective exhibition devoted to the career of the celebrated cartoonist, satirist, author and illustrator. In addition to his more than 40 covers for the “The New Yorker”, Sorel’s art has appeared on the covers of “The Atlantic”, “Harper’s”, “Fortune”, “Forbes”, “The Nation”, “Esquire”, “American Heritage”, “The New York Times Magazine” and “Vanity Fair”. He has illustrated numerous children’s books, three of which he also wrote. “Unauthorized Portraits” (Knopf 1997) is the most recent of several collections of his work. His latest book, “Mary Astor’s Purple Diary: the Great American Sex Scandal of 1936”, was published in 2016 to critical acclaim. In 2001, the Art Directors Club of New York elected Sorel to their Hall of Fame; he is first cartoonist since John Held, Jr., to be so honored. Sorel’s papers are part of the holdings of the Howard Gotlieb Archival Research Center.

The opening will feature remarks by Sorel’s colleague, the satirist, cartoonist and author Jules Feiffer, best known for his 42-year career as an editorial cartoonist for The Village Voice. Sorel will sign copies of his books at the event; selected titles, including “Mary Astor’s Purple Diary”, will be available for purchase.